Partners in Mission

Together Discovering New Possibilities

From its earliest years, Religious of the Sacred Heart counted on collaborators to help them extend the Society’s mission into the world. As this collaboration expanded, so did the circle of partners. In 1852, Madeleine Sophie wrote the students of Europe and North America and explained that they would not simply continue the Society’s mission but actually complete it.

Today the depth of collaboration is demonstrable across the globe. The dynamism of sharing mission has borne fruit both in expanding ministries and in sharing of the Society’s spirit and Sophie’s charism. The delegates from the General Chapter in 2008 capture this truth in a letter written to Sacred Heart Friends and Colleagues:

Delegates Chapter 2008

"… at our chapter, we have recognized the many ways in which you are a part of the Society of the Sacred Heart. You encourage us to continue to walk in the way of Sophie. Her heritage belongs to us all. With you we try to listen to the heartbeat of God in the reality of our world. Together let us continue to strive for a world where no one is excluded and each one has a rightful place.

We have been moved to reach out to you in gratitude for all the ways in which you walk with us. With you we embark on the next stage of the history of the Society with courage and confidence."

The Schools of the Sacred Heart count thousands of partners in mission given educators, parents, parents of alumnae/i, alumnae/i and friends. Additional examples of this profound partnership include but are not limited to:

List of 4 items.

Young men and women aged between 18 and 35 who desire an international experience for 1 month to 2 years are invited to join like mined people and work with a community of RSCJ living in an urban neighborhood or rural area in one of the Society’s provinces. The community assures the volunteers support by sharing meals, prayer and mission. Volunteers receive and give by sharing daily life and collaborating in a local socio-educational project, teaching, health, or animation of the faith.

Duchesne House for volunteers in New Orleans offers immersions and service programs for student groups and individuals ages 16 to 30. Participants engage in service, reflection in cultural immersion to working on the rebuilding of the house, meeting people in New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina, touring the city, learning about the causes of the devastation and engaging in discussions with RSCJ and others at Duchesne House.

The healthy waters and coastal restoration interest group formed in 2009 in response to the desires of RSCJ to pray, reflect and act together around issues related to the water crisis in areas of coastal degradation. In response to the continuing environmental crisis in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, the first gathering was held in Baton Rouge Louisiana to discuss what would be done in partnership with others, to address our fragile ecosystem, and water issues in the world. Since that time, the group has grown steadily. As of today, there are hundred members of this group, living in five countries of the world and 17 cities. The group includes RSCJ as well as friends, associates, alumnae/i and educators of the Sacred Heart.

Chapter 2000

"Collaboration is the recognition of the dignity of persons and of peoples; it implies welcoming and sharing what each one is and offers.

It requires attitudes of trust and mutual support, vulnerability and openness. It recognizes the need to learn from others and requires flexibility and imagination in discovering new possibilities together.

Collaboration implies team building, delegating and assuming our co-responsibility for the common good, working on common projects and developing together new processes in our service of education."

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Schools of the Sacred Heart share in the educational mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart as articulated in the Goals and Criteria. The structure supporting Sacred Heart education in Canada and the United States includes the Conference of Sacred Heart Education and the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Together they provide services and programs to ensure vitality of mission for the member schools sponsored by the Society of the Sacred Heart.